DALLAS -- The Tigers worked to finalize a $16 million, two-year agreement with Kenny Rogers on Thursday in a deal that will give Detroit a 41-year-old All-Star left-hander it hopes can provide veteran leadership to a young rotation.
Rogers' decision to sign with the Tigers was first reported by the Detroit Free Press on its Web site.
A person involved in the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced, said the sides were in the process of completing an agreement that would pay Rogers $8 million each season. After the deal is put on paper, Rogers will have to pass a physical.
"We've made some progress," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said Thursday, refusing to confirm the deal.
Detroit did reach an $11 million, two-year contract with free agent Todd Jones, returning the veteran closer to the team he pitched for from 1997-2001
Rogers wasn't offered salary arbitration Wednesday night, meaning the Tigers won't have to give Texas any compensation if they sign him.
Despite their desperate need for pitching, the Rangers cut ties with Rogers, an All-Star in both seasons of his third stint in Texas. He was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA last season, but will be most remembered for a videotaped tirade June 29 in which he shoved two television cameramen while walking onto the field.
In 687 career games (400 starts) over 17 seasons for Texas, the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Oakland, Rogers has a 190-131 record with a 4.21 ERA. He won a career-high 18 games in 2004, the first year of his $6 million, two-year contract with the Rangers.
The Tigers' rotation includes Jeremy Bonderman, Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson. Dombrowski wants to save a spot that younger pitchers in the organization can compete for this spring.
Also, Detroit selected Chris Booker from Washington in the winter meeting draft, then dealt the right-handed pitcher to Philadelphia for cash.
Booker was 8-4 with a 2.49 ERA with 20 saves in 59 appearances last season for Triple-A Louisville, Cincinnati's minor-league team. He also pitched in three games for the Reds.
The Tigers also selected right-handed pitcher Eddie Bonine from San Diego in the Triple-A phase of the draft. Bonine pitched at Single-A and Triple-A levels last season. The Los Angeles Angels selected infielder Eric Roland from Detroit's organization.
long time tiger fan here...and quite frankly this is a horrendous move. What are they thinking...Kenny Rogers???? Nice year last year but he wore down at the end of the year...i don't think this is a good move...it's a sign of desperation from the tigers.
i can't believe they gave a 41 year old pitcher 16 million dollars. thats like something the yankees or red sox would do. but, detroit is a team going now where next year. why would they sign him for that kind of cash is beyond me.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Tigers finalizing two-year, $16M deal with Rogers
Reply With Quote
